FILTERING CONTAINER FOR LIQUIDS

Abstract

A filtering container for liquids, in particular water, comprising a main body, a gripping portion which is configured to be gripped by a user for lifting the container and pouring the liquid contained therein out of it, a closure group of an opening which is defined in the main body and which includes a filtering element which is arranged in such a position as to intercept the liquid being discharged from the main body, dispensing means for the liquid which are configured in such a manner that the liquid is dispensed through a dispensing zone for the liquid defined adjacent to a side wall of the main body and a ventilation pipe which opens inside the main body in a ventilation zone and which extends in the form of an elongate element towards the interior of the main body.

Claims

1. A filtering container (100) for liquids, in particular water, comprising a main body (1), which includes an opening (11) which is formed in the region of an upper end of the main body (1), a gripping portion (10) which is configured to be gripped by a user for lifting the container and pouring the liquid contained therein out of it, a closure group (2) of the opening (11) which is defined in the main body and which includes a filtering element (3) which is arranged in such a position in the closure group (2) as to intercept the liquid being discharged from the main body (1), dispensing means (4) for the liquid which comprise a dispensing spout (41) which defines a dispensing zone (40) for the liquid adjacent to a side wall of the main body (1), the dispensing means being configured in such a manner that the liquid is dispensed through the dispensing zone (40) and a ventilation pipe (5) which opens inside the main body (1) and which extends in the form of an elongate element towards the interior of the main body (1), the ventilation pipe comprising a non-return valve (5A) which is arranged at an end thereof which opens inside the main body (1).

2. A filtering container (100) according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation pipe (5) comprises a cannula (52) which extends inside the main body (1) in a remote position with respect to the side wall of the main body (1).

3. A filtering container (100) according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation pipe (5) opens inside the main body (1) in a distal position with respect to the opening (11).

4. A filtering container (100) according to claim 3, wherein the ventilation pipe (5) extends inside the main body (1) over a distance (d) of 1/15, preferably 1/10, of the longitudinal extent (1) of the main body (1).

5. A filtering container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (11) of the main body (1) is developed over a planar surface, the dispensing nozzle (41) and the ventilation pipe (5) being arranged in opposite positions with respect to the planar surface.

6. A filtering container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filtering element (3) is received in a removable manner in a housing (30) which is defined in the closure group (2).

7. A filtering container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure group (2) comprises a cap (21) for alternatively affording or preventing access to the housing (30) of the filtering element (3).

8. A filtering container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is defined between the cap (21) and the filtering element (3) a storage chamber (22) in which the fluid is collected during discharge from the filtering element (3), the dispensing spout (41) being arranged laterally with respect to the storage chamber (22).

9. A filtering container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation pipe (5) is formed on the main body (1).

10. A filtering container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation pipe (5) comprises an intermediate vent hole (54) which is positioned in an intermediate position between opposite ends of the ventilation pipe (5).

11. A filtering container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure group (2) is fixed in a removable manner to the main body (1) in the region of the opening (11).

12. A filtering container (100) according to claim 11, wherein the filtering element (3) is connected to the closure group (2) so as to be removed together with the closure group (2).

13. A filtering container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end of the ventilation pipe (5) provided with the non-return valve (5A) is arranged upstream with respect to the filtering element (3) over a discharge path of the liquid from the filtering container (100).

14. A filtering container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filtering element (3) has a flat form.

15. A filtering container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filtering element (3) has a disk-like form.

16. A filtering container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure group (2) is configured so as to intercept the discharge of the liquid through the opening (11) of the main body (10).

17. A filtering container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (11) defines the single passage for the liquid being introduced into and being discharged from the main body (10).

18. A filtering container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure group and the dispensing group are connected in a stable manner to each other.

19. A filtering container (100) according to claim 18, wherein the dispensing group is removable from the main body together with the closure group.

20. A filtering container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation pipe (5) and the filtering element (3) define passages between the interior of the main body (10) and the exterior of the main body (10) which are parallel and separate.

Description

[0044] The features and advantages of the invention will be better appreciated from the detailed description of a number of embodiments thereof which are illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0045] FIG. 1 is a cross-section of a filtering container according to the invention;

[0046] FIG. 1A is a cross-section which illustrates the container of the present invention when the liquid present therein is poured out;

[0047] FIG. 1B is a detailed front view of a non-return valve, a detail of the container of FIG. 1;

[0048] FIGS. 1C to 1G are construction variants, the first two being illustrated both in a closed position and in a passage position, of the non-return valve of FIG. 1B;

[0049] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the filtering container of FIG. 1; and

[0050] FIGS. 3 to 15 are cross-sections of alternative embodiments of the filtering container of the present invention; and

[0051] FIG. 15A is a cross-section of the container of FIG. 15. Initially with reference to FIG. 1, a filtering container is generally designated 100.

[0052] The container 1 can be, for example, formed in the manner of a bottle or jug and comprises a main body 1 which defines a space which is intended to contain the liquid to be filtered. More generally, the container 100 comprises a gripping portion 10 via which the container can be gripped and lifted so as to pour out the liquid contained therein. To this end, the main body 1 can advantageously be constructed from rigid material, such as, for example, a thermoplastic or glass material.

[0053] The gripping portion 10 may be formed from a suitably shaped portion of the main body 1, as in the example illustrated in the Figures, or by a handle or the like.

[0054] There is preferably defined in the main body 1 a main axis X which can be constituted by the longitudinal development axis or by an axially symmetrical axis of the main body 1 itself. In preferred embodiments, the main body 1 defines an opening 11, which is formed, for example, in the region of an upper end of the body 1 itself. It may be noted that, in the context of the present invention, the adjective “upper” is intended to refer to the highest portion of the container when it is supported on a planar surface, parallel with the horizontal, such as, for example, a table.

[0055] The container 100 further comprises a closure group 2 which is arranged so as to close the opening 11 in accordance with methods which will be set out in greater detail below. Advantageously, the closure group 2 may be connected to the opening 11 by means of a threaded connection 6 and, to this end, the main body 1 may be provided with a circular cross-section in the region of the opening 11. Other connection solutions which are illustrated in the alternative embodiments of FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 15 and 16 may provide for bayonet type connections, restrained type and snap-fit type connections and the like.

[0056] The closure group, which is illustrated more clearly in a preferred embodiment thereof in FIG. 2, comprises a filtering element 3 which is arranged in such a position as to intercept the liquid being discharged from the main body 1. As may be observed in FIG. 1A, when the container 100 is inclined, the liquid present therein wets the closure group 2, reaching the filtering element 3 which can be passed through by the liquid and thereby filtered.

[0057] By way of example, the filtering element 3 can be formed by an activated carbon filter, a filter of the carbon block type, fabric impregnated with carbon, fabric impregnated with resin, fabric impregnated with resin and carbon, antibacterial fabrics with a magnetic charge, granular or powdered materials, microporous materials, membranes. Naturally, the list is provided in a non-exhaustive manner and the present invention may also be used similarly in the case of other filtering materials.

[0058] In some embodiments, the filtering element 3 has a flat form which is arranged parallel with the outlet section from the opening 11. In this manner, the contact zone can be maximized between the liquid and the filtering surface of the element 3 when the container 100 is inclined.

[0059] As may be appreciated in construction variants, some of which are illustrated in the other Figures, however, there may also be provided filtering elements of elongate form, for example, of cylindrical form.

[0060] In some embodiments, the filtering element 3 may be received in a removable manner in a housing 30 which is defined in the closure group 2. This housing may be, for example, formed by a cavity, to which access can be afforded by removing a suitable cap 21. Preferably, the filtering element 3 is arranged in abutment against a mesh surface which defines a base of the housing. This is particularly advantageous because it allows an additional filtration of the liquid to be carried out before it reaches the filtering element 3 and the filtering element 3 itself to be supported in a suitable manner.

[0061] According to a preferred embodiment, the closure group 2 also comprises a dispensing spout 41, through which the liquid is poured out when the container 100 is inclined. Preferably, the spout is developed transversely with respect to the axial development X of the main body 1.

[0062] In other words, the spout 41 is arranged laterally with respect to the opening 11 in such a manner that the container 100 is configured so as to be able to pour out the liquid following inclination thereof in the direction of the spout 41, as, for example, illustrated in FIG. 1A.

[0063] More generally, there may be present dispensing means 4 which are configured in such a manner that the liquid is dispensed through a dispensing zone 40 of the liquid, which is defined adjacent to a side wall of the main body 1. It may be noted, for example, how in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 1A the dispensing zone 40 is defined adjacent to the wall of the main body 1 near the opening 11.

[0064] It may be noted that there may be provided alternative solutions for the dispensing means 4 with respect to the spout of the present embodiment. For example, the dispensing means may be formed, or more generally may comprise, an outlet channel for the fluid from the closure group or an outlet opening which is constructed differently. Furthermore, the dispensing means may be constituted by any element which is suitable for imposing or in any case promoting the pouring of the liquid by means of a preferred inclination. For example, the presence of a grip or a suitably constructed handle may, even in the absence of the spout 41, ensure that there is uniquely defined a dispensing zone 40 which is similar to the one described in relation to the present embodiment.

[0065] Now with reference to FIG. 2, in preferred embodiments there is also provided a storage chamber 22 between the cap 21 and the filtering element 3. The storage chamber 22 is substantially formed by a space which is defined between the filtering element 3 and cap 21 when it is arranged so as to close the closure group 12.

[0066] When the liquid is poured out, the fluid is collected during discharge by the filtering element 3, the dispensing spout 41 being arranged laterally relative to the storage chamber 22. Therefore, it will be appreciated that, when the liquid present in the container is poured out, inside the storage chamber 22, on the one hand, the filtered liquid passes out while, on the other hand, the passage of air towards the interior of the container is brought about.

[0067] The Applicant has found that, in order to optimize the passage of the liquid and the air, the storage chamber 22 may have a flat shape and a height h which is preferably equal to at least 6 mm, in accordance with what is illustrated in FIG. 1A.

[0068] Furthermore, also with reference to FIG. 3A, in some embodiments the area of the filtering surface of the filtering element 3 has such dimensions that the ratio between the height h and the area A of the filtering surface is greater than 1/200.

[0069] The container 100 of the present invention further comprises a ventilation pipe 5 which opens inside the main body 1 in a ventilation zone 50 which is arranged in a position opposite the dispensing zone 40 of the liquid.

[0070] In some situations, in accordance with the form of the container, it may be the case that the ventilation pipe comes into contact with the liquid and, therefore, in some embodiments, in order to prevent the discharge of liquid from the container without it passing through the filtering element, there may be provision for the presence of a non-return valve 5A.

[0071] This non-return valve 5A may, for example, be formed by a closure element which is arranged at the end of the ventilation pipe which opens inside the container and on which there is/are formed at least one notch, preferably two, which define(s) flaps which are deformable in the discharge direction from the ventilation pipe.

[0072] In some embodiments, the non-return valve may generally comprise a flexible element which is deformed following the action of the air being discharged from the ventilation pipe 5. Some of these embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 1C to 1G.

[0073] Again with reference to FIG. 1, in the embodiment in which the opening 11 has a circular cross-section, the ventilation zone 50 is arranged in a position opposite the dispensing zone 40, each one being near the external edge of the opening 11.

[0074] More generally, in a preferred embodiment, the opening 11 of the main body 1 is developed over a planar surface, with the dispensing zone 40 and the ventilation zone 50 being arranged in opposite positions with respect to the planar surface defined in this manner.

[0075] As clearly illustrated in FIG. 1A, the ventilation pipe 5 allows the introduction of air inside the container during the emptying thereof so as to counterbalance the pressure therein. This promotes the discharge speed of the liquid which is capable of more readily overcoming the resistance to the passage thereof caused by the filtering element 3. The provision of a flat filtering element also allows an increase in the discharge speed of the liquid from the container.

[0076] In an embodiment, the ventilation pipe 5 extends inside the main body 11 adjacent to the side wall of the main body 1 near the ventilation zone 50. Preferably, the ventilation pipe 5 opens inside the main body 1 in a distal position with respect to the opening 11.

[0077] In some embodiments, the ventilation pipe 5 comprises an intermediate vent hole 54 which is positioned in an intermediate position between the two opposite ends of the pipe 5.

[0078] In the region of the opposite end, therefore, the ventilation pipe 5 has an opening which allows the interior of the container 100 to be placed in communication with the exterior without passing through the filtering element.

[0079] Preferably, the dispensing pipe 5 has a cross-section which is less than the dimension of the dispensing zone 40 or the filtering element zone which is wetted when the liquid is poured out in such a manner that the presence of the dispensing pipe does not prevent the contact between the water and the dispensing zone.

[0080] It will be further appreciated that, as may be observed in the Figures, when the container is in abutment against a planar surface, the opening of the ventilation pipe inside the main body is preferably arranged in a lower position with respect to the filtering element. More generally, the ventilation pipe may open inside the main body in a distal position with respect to the opening.

[0081] According to another aspect, the ventilation pipe 5 comprises a cannula 52 or a tube which extends inside the main body 1. The cannula 52 is preferably formed by an element which is fixed to a lower wall of the closure group 2.

[0082] In some embodiments, the cannula 52 or more generally the ventilation pipe 5 may extend inside the main body over a distance d of 1/15, preferably 1/10, of the longitudinal extent 1 of the main body.

[0083] Additional embodiments of the ventilation pipe 5 are illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 15.

[0084] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the ventilation pipe 5 extends through the cap 21 so as to place the interior of the container 100 directly in communication with the exterior. In other words, the end of the ventilation pipe 11 opposite the one which opens inside the container 100 opens above the cap 21.

[0085] In such a situation, in accordance with the form of the container, it may be easier for the ventilation pipe to come into contact with the liquid and, in order to prevent the discharge of liquid from the container without it passing through the filtering element, there may be provision for the presence of a non-return valve. It may be noted that the non-return valve may also be used in different embodiments, such as, for example, the one in FIG. 1.

[0086] In some embodiments, the ventilation pipe 5 may be directly arranged in the region of the main body 1 of the container 100.

[0087] Preferably, the filtering element 3 extends inside the main body 1, below the opening 11.

[0088] In some embodiments, in which the main body 1 has a neck-like portion, the filtering element 3 may be fixed to a support 31 so that the filtering element 3 extends during use below the neck-like portion.

[0089] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, there is used a filtering element which is similar to the one of FIG. 4 but there is instead provided a support 31′ so that the filtering element 3 is supported and configured so as to be partially received in the neck-like portion and partially below it.

[0090] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, there is instead used a support 31″, by means of which the filtering element is entirely received inside the neck-like portion.

[0091] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, there is used a filtering element similar to the one described in relation to FIG. 4, but with the ventilation pipe fixed to the closure group 2.

[0092] On the basis of an additional construction variant, the ventilation pipe may also extend inside the filtering element. In some embodiments, such as the one depicted in FIG. 8, the cannula 52 is an integral part of the cap 21 and the ventilation pipe 5 extends through the cap 21.

[0093] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, there is used a ventilation pipe 5 similar to the one of FIG. 10, but there is instead provision for the cannula 52 and the cap 21 to be two mutually different components.

[0094] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, there are used a ventilation pipe 5 and a cannula 52 which are similar to the ones of FIG. 11 but there is instead provision for the cannula 52 and the filtering element 3 to be able to be two mutually different components.

[0095] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11, there are used a ventilation pipe 5 and a cannula 52 which are similar to the ones of FIG. 12 but there is instead provision, when the ventilation pipe 5 extends through the storage chamber 22, for the ventilation pipe 5 to carry out a deviation through 90° in the opposite direction to the position of the spout 41. In this embodiment, consequently, the ventilation zone 50 is arranged laterally with respect to the opening 11.

[0096] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 13, the filtering element is completely received inside the closure group 2. The closure group 2 comprises a lower portion and an upper portion which may be separated suitably so as to allow the replacement of the filtering element 3. In this embodiment, the dispensing zone 40 is arranged in the upper portion of the closure group 2.

[0097] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 14, the filtering element 3 is fixed to a support 31, through which the ventilation pipe 5 extends, and the cannula 52 is an integral part of the support 31.

[0098] In other embodiments, there may instead be provision for a cannula 52 which is separate from the support 31 but connected thereto.

[0099] In some embodiments, the ventilation pipe may be an integral part of the main body 1. As may be observed in the example of FIG. 15, the pipe may be formed by means of a suitably shaped portion of the main body 1 which opens directly towards the exterior. In this case, there may also be provision for a non-return valve or an intermediate vent hole as in all the embodiments previously illustrated.

[0100] It will be appreciated that a filtering container constructed in this manner allows the production of filtration of water in a sufficiently rapid and immediate manner. This allows the use of the container as a normal bottle for common food uses, allowing filtered water to be poured out into glasses without requiring preliminary preparations apart from filling the jug. Additionally, the filtering element used for the present container is simple and readily replaceable by the user following wear or deterioration thereof.